Written by Carly Whetter
Whether you are interested in Vancouver’s gritty history or exploring the city’s natural beauty, these phone apps (from Vancouver-based developers) allow you to take your adventure into your own hands.
With the On This Spot app, locals and visitors alike can go back in time with nothing but their smartphone. The then-and-now photo app offers guided tours of historic spots around Vancouver, complete with over 600 photos from the Vancouver Archives. Historical moments available for comparison include in the app the construction of the Courthouse (now the Vancouver Art Gallery) in 1903, the first neon signs of Granville Street, and the construction of the streetcar lines tracks that ran through much of the downtown core in the early 1900s. The app is available for both iPhone and Android.
Officially launched in February 2018, Yervana is an adventure app connecting visitors, explorers and outdoor enthusiasts with knowledgeable locals who can take them on personalized outdoor adventures. Adventures are available in Vancouver, Squamish, and Whistler, with plans to expand to other cities soon. Users can discover Vancouver’s hidden gems while hiking, biking, exploring, skiing, stargazing (and much more!) like a local, skipping the tedious research phase and getting right into the adventure with like-minded individuals.
